Black Nights Film Festival ( also known in Estonian as PÕFF) aims to present a comprehensive selection of world cinema to Estonian, Baltic and North European audiences.

The festival is recognised by FIAPF (The International Federation of Film Producers Associations) and is held annually in both Tallinn and Tartu Estonia.

Since 2014 the Black Nights Film Festival has been accredited by FIAPF to organise an international non-specialised competition of feature length films along with 15 other festivals around the world (including Berlin, Cannes, Karlovy Vary, Moscow, Venice, San Sebastian, Warsaw, Tokyo and others). The Black Nights Film Festival also holds competitive specialised sections, non-competitive sections as well as various sub festivals.

The 21st edition of PÖFF will be held between the 17th of November and 3rd of December 2017, in the Estonian cities of Tallinn and Tartu.

1. Black Nights Film Festival main programme (17th November – 3rd December 2017)

1.1 Official Selection - Competition
The Official Selection is a non-specialised international competition presenting feature length (60+ min) films produced worldwide after the 15th of September 2016, a European regional premiere is a minimum requirement (NB! European films and films co-produced that have been presented in their country of origin remain eligible). Priority will be given to films giving a world or international premiere. The festival will not accept films in the Official selection that have been in competition at another festival accredited by FIAPF as competitive festival. The festival reserves the right to evaluate eligible films for the competition on a case by case basis.

Awards:

Grand Prix for the Best Film (Grant of 10,000 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

Best Director (Grant of 5000 Euros)

Best Cinematography (Grant of 1000 Euros)

Best Script

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Music

Best Production Design

All films in the competition are eligible for a maximum of two awards (including Grand Prix). The Grand Prix and Best Director award and grant cannot be given to the same film. The awardees are presented with the Black Nights bronze Wolf Statuette by Estonian sculptor Simson Seakülast.

1.2 The First Feature Competition
The First Feature Competition presents feature length debut films (ie. 60+ min, first time directing status) produced worldwide after the 15 th of September, 2016 with a world or international premiere required (films that have been presented in their country of origin remain eligible). The festival will not accept films in the The First Feature Competition that have been in competition at another festival accredited by FIAPF as a competitive festival. The festival reserves the right to evaluate eligible films for competition on a case by case basis.

Awards:

The Award for the Best First Feature (Grant of 5000 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

Two Special Jury Prizes

A film in this competition is only eligible for one award.

The awardees are presented with the Black Nights bronze Wolf Statuette by Estonian sculptor Simson Seakülast.

1.3 The Estonian Film Competition
The Estonian Film Competition presents Estonian feature length (60+ min) films produced worldwide after the 15 th of September, 2016. Priority will be given to films with a world and international premiere, but films which have previously premiered in Estonia are also eligible. The festival reserves the right to evaluate eligible films for the competition on a case by case basis.

Awards:
The Award for Best Estonian Feature (Grant of 3200 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

1.4 Additional awards for full-length film

Lifetime Achievement Award

Audience Award (Grant of 2 000 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award

International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award

Cross Religion award presented by the spiritual leaders of the largest congregations in Estonia

1.5 Non-competitive programs
Films submitted, but not selected for competitive programs can be invited to non- competitive programs with a minimum requirement being their Estonian premiere. There are no geographic restrictions for films in non-competitive sections.

1.6 Programming
The Programming Committee, headed by the Festival Director, selects films for the competitions and non-competitive programs. The committee also determines the programme schedule and sets the screening order for all films. Each film may be screened a minimum of two (2) times and a maximum of five (5) during the Festival, including press screenings. Consent from the applicant will be asked for any extra screening. The Programming Committee reserves the right to not comment on its decisions as well as the final lineup of the Festival.

1.7 Juries
The Festival Director appoints at least five (5) members of the International Jury to the International Competition and at least three (3) members to other competitive programmes. No jury member can be involved in the production or promotion of any of the films in the competitive programs.

1.8 Film Delegations
For competitive programs the Festival will invite a delegation of up to three representatives per film. The festival will cover the round trip airfare for one delegate, with a preference given to the Director and / or a Main Cast member, as well as accommodation for up to 3 persons in the Delegation at the Official Partner Hotel. For non-competitive films, the festival reserves the right to invite guests upon the decision of the Programming committee. Detailed terms and conditions for film delegates are provided on a non-disclosed one to one and guest agreement basis.

1.9 Film submission entry procedures
Film submission opens on the 1st of February 2017. The deadline for submissions for competitive and noncompetitive programs is the 17th of August 2017. The festival reserves the right to refuse late submissions. The festival asks for a submission fee of 50 Euros per film. The Festival Director and the Programming Committee reserve the right to waive submission fees for selected applicants and not to comment on their decisions regarding waivers.

Applicants for competitive and noncompetitive programs are requested to submit the film and supplementary materials via the festivals online submissions page:

Entries submitted by post, e-mail or any other form except the online submission form are not considered eligible for selection.

By submitting a film to the festival the applicant agrees by the submissions deadline to:

Fill and submit the entry form via the festival’s online submission form.

Provide a screening link and password via the festival's online submission form or e-mail (the link needs to be visible for at least four programmers or more, if needed).

Deliver additional materials (biography, filmography and headshot of the Director and , only high-resolution stills of the film, synopsis of the film, trailer and poster art-work if already available) to the e-mail address materials@poff.ee.

Acknowledge that “selected” status on the online submission form does not guarantee confirmation of the submitted film to the festival.

Upon confirmation of the film to the Festival's Competitive or Non Competitive Sections the applicant agrees to:

Provide a trailer of the film online with a non-expiring link or HD- resolution file.

Deliver materials for localisation (dialogue lists in the original film language and in English, spotting list, screener and poster artwork).

Grant permission to include the screener in the festivals video library, reserved for jury and accredited industry members only (restricted access).

Materials have to be delivered digitally to materials@poff.ee stating the local and English title of the film in the e-mail subject line. The festival does not accept deliveries on hard drives, USB‘s or any other physical format.

The documentation required by the Festival for its press releases, catalogue, website and other information/ promotion channels (synopsis, technical and artistic credits, bio-filmographies, pictures of the director/s and film stills) need to be provided to the festival by the 15th of September 2017.

1.10 Confirmation of films and reimbursment
Upon confirmation of a film, the Festival will inform the applicant via email. The applicant agrees that confirmed titles may not be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed and the producer or producer's authorised representative has verified the confirmation of the film to the programme.

If, for exceptional reasons, the film has to be withdrawn three weeks or less before the opening of the festival, the applicant agrees to reimburse all costs to the festival related to the confirmation and programming of the film including screening fee (when applicable), print delivery and handling costs as well as associated travel costs for the film delegation. The invoices for the film rights or print loans should be issued and delivered for payments no later than two months after the end of the festival. The festival does not accept or reimburse invoices issued after that date.

1.11 Technical guidelines and requirements
To ensure the highest quality of the confirmed films, all screening copies must be in DCP format with accompanying English subtitles. Damaged or dubbed copies, non compatible DCP‘s or files on broken hard drives are refused. Video formats are accepted only with prior acknowledgement from the festival. No tapes or Blu-rays are accepted.

The festival reserves the right to demand screening copies of competition films free of charge, including alternative keys to DCP copies or new DCP packages if quality standards are not met. These include missing subtitles or wrong soundtracks. Thus, the festival has the right to refuse and withdraw the screening of the film from the competition if all guidelines are not being strictly followed.

For quality and technical testing purposes the festival may ask you for one KDM per film for our test-screen or DKDM for laborartory testing.

DCP‘s have to be provided and shipped on industry standard and protected hard drives or uploaded to our server with previous confirmation from the festival technical department. Files on broken hard drives are not permitted and the festival has the right to demand new copies as well as KDM‘s free of charge for damaged and non working DCP packages.

The filmmaker or film representative has to provide appropriate KDM‘s for the original language soundtrack and English subtitle tracks at least 72 hours prior to screenings. If the festival is provided with broken or wrongly assigned KDM‘s, appropriate new KDM‘s must be provided free of charge by the film submitter or representative.

The festival supports 2K and 4K content. However, not all screens have a 4K projecting capability. The festival therefore cannot guarantee that all 4K films will be screened in a 4K resolution!

All screens support both Flat and Scope content.

Countdown / start leaders are not to be included.

We can accept high-frame-rate DCP‘s (HFR), but we are only able to screen them in selected cinema halls. Please notify the festival office if you are planning on presenting a high-frame-rate DCP.

All subtitles must be on the “active” picture area inside the “video safe” area.

Data media

The distribution media partition must be formatted inEXT2 or EXT3. EXT3 is preferred.

DCP distribution disks shall contain a standard “MBR” partition table. This is meant to specifically exclude “GPT”, “BSD”, and other partition table types. The MBR partition table shall contain one and only one partition record. The single partition record shall be the first Primary partition record.

All casings, hard drives or included tech sheet must clearly state the film name, DCP format, aspect ratio, subtitle and soundtrack information.

Soundtrack

5.1 Channel PCM or 7.1 Channel PCM at certain venues

Atmos only at certain venues

VIDEO SCREENINGS
The Festival only accepts Quicktime Prores video files, besides the DCP format. No tapes or Blu-ray’s are accepted! All video files will be converted into encrypted D-Cinema Packages (DCP‘s) to ensure the best possible image and sound quality during playback .

The following technical specifications for the delivered content are mandatory.

All content must be unencrypted.

The festival executes technical quality checks on all video files. In order to be able to carry out these checks, the material must be delivered on time.

DCP‘s will be created for festival use only. We will not be able to send you a copy of the DCP.

1.12 Delivery of materials
All costs related to the shipping of publicity materials (including DVD screener) are paid by the submitter or film representative. Submitted preview copies may be returned to the submitter or forwarded only at the submitter's expense. All packages must be clearly marked with the title of the film, the sender’s / submitters name, return address and telephone number as well as the festival address:

Costs related to the shipping of the screening copies to the festival are paid by the festival, unless otherwise agreed upon. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the submitter or film representative, or party appointed by them.

The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 14 days from the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the submitter or film representative.

The festival covers all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during the duration of the festival.

SUB FESTIVALS2. Children‘s and Youth Film Festival Just Film (17 - 26 November 2017)

Just Film presents films in the following programmes:

International Competition programme of feature films for children

International Competition programme of feature films for young people

Non-competitive and / or informative programmes, retrospectives and special presentations

Films eligible for the programmes are feature length (60+ min) either fiction or documentary and produced after the 1st of January 2016 with a minimum requirement being their Estonian premiere. Films produced in Estonia or that are Estonian-co-productions, which have previously premiered in Estonia are also eligible. The festival reserves the right to evaluate eligible films for competition on a case by case basis. The applicable screening copies are in DCP format in English or include English subtitles. Films in the competition may be presented in the PÖFF main programme non-competitive section and touring screenings after Just Film.

Awards

Just Film Grand Prix for the Best Youth Film

Best Youth Film

Best Children’s Film

Up to two special Special mentions per competitive programme

2.1 Juries
The Festival Director will appoint the Domestic Children’s Jury and Youth Jury, both consisting of five members. Also an international jury consisting of three film specialists will be invited. No jury member can be involved in the production or promotion of any of the films in the competitive programs.

2.2 Film submission entry procedures
Applicants for competitive and non-competitive programs are requested to submit their film and supplementary materials via the festivals online submissions page:

Entries submitted by post, e-mail or any other form except the online submission form are not considered eligible for selection. The deadline for submissions for competitive and noncompetitive programs is the 1st of September 2017. The festival reserves the right to refuse late submissions.

By submitting a film to the festival the applicant agrees by the submissions deadline to:

Fill and submit the entry form via the festival’s online submission form.

Deliver a screener (or DVD) with English subtitles to the festival office or provide a screening link and password via e-mail.

Deliver additional materials (biography and filmography of Director, stills of the film, synopsis of the film, trailer and poster art-work (if already available) by the means specified by the festival.

Please note that the term "selected" in Eventival does not automatically guarantee that the film will confirmed in the programme of the festival as the festival needs to consider multiple criteria, such as the the fee, print/ copy fees, availability issues in Estonian territory and other factors.

Upon confirmation of the film to the Festival's Competitive or Non-Competitive Sections the applicant agrees to:

Provide a trailer of the film either on DVD or online via a non-expiring link.

Deliver materials for localisation (dialogue lists in the original filmlanguage and in English, spotting list, screener and poster artwork).

Materials have to be delivered digitally to maarit.mannama@poff.ee. The festival does not accept deliveries on hard drives, USB‘s or any other physical format, as well as via file sharing programs or services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box etc.

2.3 Confirmation of films and reimbursement
Upon confirmation of the film, the Festival will inform the applicant no later than the 26th of October 2017.

The applicant agrees that confirmed titles may not be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been officially confirmed and the producer or producer's authorised representative has verified confirmation of the film to the programme.

If, for exceptional reasons, the film has to be withdrawn three weeks or less before the opening of the festival, the applicant agrees to reimburse all costs to the festival related to the confirmation and programming of the film, including screening fee (when applicable), print delivery and handling costs as well as associated travel costs for the film delegation.

The invoices for the film rights or print loans should be issued and delivered for payment no later than two months from the end of the festival. The festival does not accept or reimburse invoices issued after that date.

2.4 Technical requirements
To ensure the highest quality of the confirmed films, all screening copies must be in DCP or a technically inspected film format with appropriate quality, soundtrack and English subtitles. Damaged or dubbed copies, non compatible DCP‘s, files on broken hard drives as well as consumer formats are refused.

The festival reserves the right to demand screening copies of competition films free of charge, including alternative keys to DCP copies or new DCP packages if quality standards are not met. These include missing subtitles or wrong soundtracks.
Thus, the festival has the right to refuse and withdraw the screening of the film in the competitions if the above-mentioned guidelineshave not been adhered to.

DCP‘s have to be provided either as Interop with subtitles burned in or STMP with subtitle tracks of a clearly stated DCP format, aspect ratio, subtitle and soundtrack information marked on the casing and drive (or accompanying tech sheet).

In case of SMTP DCP‘s a separate spotting list has to be provided to avoid possible projection issues due to incompatibilities between certain DCP servers and projectors.
DCP‘s have to be provided and shipped on industry standard and protected hard drives. Files on broken, consumer grade hard drives, memory sticks, or download formats are not permitted and the festival has the right to demand new copies as well as KDM;s free of charge for damaged and non working DCP packages.

The filmmaker or film representative has to provide appropriate KDM‘s for the original language soundtrack and English subtitle tracks at least 72 hours prior to screenings. If the festival is provided with broken or wrongly assigned KDM‘s, appropriate new KDM‘s must be provided free of charge by the film submitter or representativeof the film.

If the above mentioned terms are not met, the festival has the right to refuse or withdraw the film from competitions and / or programmes.

2.5 Delivery of materials
All costs related to the shipping of the screener copy (DVD) and publicity materials are paid by the submitter or film representative. Submitted preview copies may be returned to the submitter or forwarded only at the submitter's expense. All packages must be clearly marked with the title of the film, the sender’s / submitter‘s name, return address, telephone number and the festival address:

Costs related to the shipping of the screening copies to the festival are paid by the festival, unless otherwise agreed upon. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the submitter, film representative or party appointed by them.

The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 14 days from the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the submitter or film representative.
The festival covers all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during the duration of the festival.

2.6 Film Delegations
The festival may invite members of the cast and/or crew of any film, in any section. Providing the travel and/or accommodation and Festival accreditation.www.justfilm.ee

Films submitted to the student film competitions must be directed by a film or media student.

Awards

Best International Competition Animated Dreams film

Best International Competition Sleepwalkers film

Best International Student Competition Animated Dreams film

Best International Student Competition Sleepwalkers film

Best National Competition film

Films produced in Estonia or are Estonian-co- productions, which have premiered
previously in Estonia are also eligible.

The festival reserves the right to evaluate eligible films for the competition and assign
the programme section for the film on a case-by- case basis.

Film submission entry procedures Applicants for competitive and non-competitive programs
are requested to submit their film and supplementary materials via the festivals online
submissions page:

3.2 Film submission
Entries submitted by post, e-mail or any other form except the online submission form are not
considered eligible for selection. The deadline for submissions for competitive and
noncompetitive programs is the 10th of September 2017. The festival reserves the right to
refuse late submissions.

For a successful submission via the submission platform the applicant is required to:

Fill in and submit the entry form.

Provide a non-expiring screening link - with English subtitles and a password if necessary.

Upload high quality stills from the film (jpg).

Provide the film trailer as a non-expiring link or HD-resolution file.

Upload a photo of the Director (jpg).

Upload a poster of the film (jpg) (if it exists).

Upon confirmation of the film to the Festival's Competitive or Non Competitive Sections the applicant agrees to:

Confirm participation of the film in the Festival.

Provide all necessary information and materials

Provide all missing information and materials from the original submission in the way indicated by the festival team.

Provide the required screening copy in the way indicated by the Festival team.

Grant permission to include the screener in the festival’s video library, reserved for jury and accredited industry members only (restricted access).

Authorize to screen the film and/or promotional materials (stills, trailer) at the Festival and at any presentation of the Festival programmes, side and promotional events in any location if organised by/or participated in and authorized by the Festival organisation.

Confirmation of films and reimbursement Upon confirmation of the film, the Festival will
inform the applicant no later than the 26th of October 2017.

The applicant agrees that confirmed titles may not be withdrawn from the festival programme
after its participation has been officially confirmed and the producer or producer's authorised
representative has verified confirmation of the film to the programme.
If, for exceptional reasons, the film has to be withdrawn three weeks or less before the
opening of the festival, the applicant agrees to reimburse all costs to the festival related to the
confirmation and programming of the film, including screening fee (when applicable), print
delivery and handling costs as well as associated travel costs for the film delegation.
The invoices for the film rights or print loans should be issued and delivered for payment no
later than two months from the end of the festival. The festival does not accept or reimburse
invoices issued after that date.

3.3 Technical requirementsTo ensure the highest quality and presentation of confirmed films, all screening copies must be in high quality High Definition video (minimum 1920x1080px) in a low compressed format (Prores, DNxHD etc.), DCP and with English subtitles. Damaged or dubbed copies, non-compatible DCP’s and files on broken hard drives are refused.

Requirements for files:

File formats: Prores, DNxHD, h264

File container: mov

Resolution: FullHD 1920x1080px

Framerate: 24 or 25fps;

Field order: None/Progressive;

Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square

Sound: Stereo

Samplerate: 48kHz

Bitrate: 16 or 24bit

Subtitles: Hardcoded (if needed). If hardcoded subtitles are present, they must be on the active picture area! That means on the picture area, not on the letter box area (if present).

Requirements for DCP’s: DCP’s have to be provided either as Interop or SMPTE with subtitle tracks of a clearly stated DCP format, aspect ratio, subtitle and soundtrack information marked on the casing and drive (or accompanying tech sheet). If physical copies are being sent, DCP’s have to be provided and shipped on industry standard and protected hard drives. Files on broken, consumer grade hard drives, memory sticks, or download formats are not permitted and the festival has the right to demand new copies (as well as KDM’s) free of charge for damaged and non working DCP packages.

Please note that:

The Festival supports 2K and 4K content in all screens. However, not all screens have a 4K projector. The Festival cannot guarantee that a 4K film will be screened in a 4K resolution.

All screens support both Flat and Scope content.

The Festival requires all DCP’s to be in XYZ colorspace encoded in JPEG2000.

Countdown / start leaders must not be included.

Surround content should be submitted in 6 discrete channels in the DCP.

Hard drives must be formatted in EXT2, EXT3!

The filmmaker or film representative has to provide appropriate KDM’s for the original language soundtrack and English subtitle tracks at least 72 hours prior to screenings. If the festival is provided with broken or wrongly assigned KDM’s, appropriate new KDM’s must be provided free of charge by the film submitter or representative to meet the minimum Festival requirements.

The festival reserves the right to demand screening copies of competition films free of charge including alternative keys to DCP copies or new DCP packages if quality standards are not being met. These include missing subtitles or wrong soundtracks. Thus, the festival has the right to refuse and withdraw the screening of a film in the competitions if the above­mentioned guidelines are not being followed.

All other formats must be confirmed by the festival technical team.

3.4 Delivery of materials
Costs related to the shipping of the physical screening copies to the festival are paid by the festival, unless otherwise agreed upon. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the submitter, film representative or party appointed by them. All packages must be clearly marked with the title of the film, the sender’s / submitter‘s name, return address, telephone number and the festival address:

Costs related to the shipping of the screening copies to the festival are paid by the festival, unless otherwise agreed upon. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the submitter, film representative or party appointed by them.

The festival will return or forward the screening copies within 14 days from the end of the festival unless instructed otherwise by the submitter or film representative. The festival covers all expenses connected to the storage and insurance of the screening copies during the duration of the festival.

3.5 Film Delegations
The festival may invite members of the cast and/or crew of any film, in any section. Providing the travel and/or accommodation and Festival accreditation.